Posted on 02/19/2023 10:43:13 AM PST by BenLurkin
The wreckage of a U.S. submarine from World War II was found off the coast of Hokkaido in northern Japan — after disappearing almost 80 years ago.
The USS Albacore, credited with sinking at least 10 enemy vessels during the war, was found by the University of Tokyo's Tamaki Ura and positively identified by the Naval History and Heritage Command, the Navy said on Thursday.
Albacore was long assumed to be lost forever. According to Japanese records, the submarine, with a crew of 85 men on board, likely struck a mine just off the shore of Hokkaido on Nov. 7, 1944, the NHHC said.
"Most importantly, the wreck represents the final resting place of Sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave," read the Navy's press release.
The NHHC said its archaeologists used underwater imagery provided by Ura's team to confirm the remains were those of the Albacore. Data from the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records mentioning the loss of an American submarine steered Ura to the site of the wreckage. Ura's team used data collected from a remotely operated vehicle to verify the historical records.
Six of the Albacore's enemy sinkings were enemy combat ships, making the vessel one of World War II's top combat submarines, according to the Navy.
Closure for some I hope.
Can’t imagine serving on one.
The Japanese considered this cowardly and deployed their submarines almost exclusively against warships. The USS Yorktown actually survived the Battle of Midway but was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine while being towed back to Pearl Harbor on June 7, 1942.
The Yorktown and its' escorting destroyer Hammann sunk by the same submarine, thus became the last naval vessels sunk in the battle.
Same here. Or on any Navy warship during wartime.
One of our submarines is missing….
“On 2 July, Albacore shifted over to intercept traffic between Yap and the Palau Islands. The submarine spotted a wooden inter-island steamer loaded with Japanese civilians. Albacore decided to stage a surface gun attack. After ensuring the ship was afire, Albacore dived to avoid an airplane. The submarine surfaced soon thereafter and picked up five survivors. The sunken vessel was the Taimei Maru from Yap to Palau.[15]”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Albacore_(SS-218)
Very interesting. Had me for a minute as there’s a USS Albacore that serves as a museum in Portsmouth (NH) harbor. Turns out this Albacore was the 3rd sub with the name. It was a research vessel to try out new features for submarines.
See https://www.ussalbacore.org/about
Here’s to the old pig boat sailors...a breed apart.
RIP salute to these brave kids
Now find the Triton SS-201. A distant cousin is on it. Lost about March 15, 1943
serving on a naval ship at sea is the closest experience we have for serving aboard a space faring vessel.
only thing closer would be a sub itself.
Lame rescue after knowingly sinking it.
Amen.
God bless their souls.
Another reminder of how we have a free republic thanks to the service and sacrifice of so many who came before us.
Lame rescue after knowingly sinking it.
Also a source of informaion.
Been there here dons that. The modern boats are the Hilton compared to the old diesel boats. Those guys were truly a tough group. RIP guys you did a hell of a job. There’s several more lost out around Japan.
bkmk
Attack a wooden ship full of civilians?
Sorry sailors ,I’m having difficulty squaring this with American ideals.
American submarines preyed on anything that flew a Japanese flag.
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